By Peter Effiom
Two women detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for their involvement in terrorism were given 40 years in prison by Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Yilwa imposed the penalties after both ladies entered guilty pleas to counts two, four, and five of the five-count terrorism-related charge brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The two prisoners, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are allegedly the mother and sister of suspected terrorist mastermind Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, after an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap and attack students taking the Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in a forest close to Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Both women avoided conviction on counts one and three, which involved receiving ₦490,300 from Battujo with full knowledge that it was proceeds of terrorism, as well as count three, which involved using the funds of terrorism to sponsor a religious trip. The Director of Public Prosecutions asked the court to find them guilty on the remaining counts while dismissing the first two.
According to count two, both women participated in the activities of Battujo, a well-known bandit Kingpin, and gave him information over the phone. As a result, they committed an offense against section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to another count, Halima Abdullahi and Safiya Salihu of Dungun Muaza Sabuwa LGA, Katsina State, committed an offense at some point in 2026 in Katsina State by aiding and abetting the activities of Battujo, a known bandit Kingpin, and providing information to Battujo over the phone. This was against section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Battujo’s mother entered a guilty plea to count five, which was close to hiding information about her son’s terrorist actions, in addition to count two.
In addition to entering a guilty plea to count two, Halima, the sister of the terrorist kingpin who was eliminated, also entered a guilty plea to count four, which was on the verge of concealing evidence that her brother had illegally obtained firearms, which she had witnessed when visiting his woodland camp.
For each of the crimes for which the women were found guilty, Justice Yilwa sentenced them to 20 years in prison and mandated that their sentences be served concurrently.
After the offenders completed their jail sentences, the judge ordered them to participate in rehabilitation.
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